[UK-CONTEST] 432 UKAC 8/11/2011

[Ray James]

Hi Tony,
I started off on 190 as it appeared quiet then heard Jon GM4JTJ close by so ended up down about 115 but nothing is set in concrete.
We don't have the same problem as you up here. Lots of white noise to tune across interspersed by signals from stations who happen to beam this way.
G0XDI/P (JO01), G0VVE (IO91) and G8OHM (IO92) were heard just about all the time and lots who called GM4JR 'cos they knew where to find Andy as he was in the AX section.

Unless someone spots you it's very difficult in the AR/AO sections for folk to be aware what frequency you're on and UK stations spotting other UK stations is as rare as hens teeth nowadays.
I started this year in the AX section but the small number that returned to the assisted category we all used to operate in prior to the KST/DXC ban meant it produced very few contacts.

Hi Peter (G3UBX),
I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I noticed your call in the claimed scores section! 
Great to see you back on after 15 years and I'm sure we'll work each other soon enough.
The return to the bands of experienced hands was one of my expectations with the increased activity we're all enjoying under what you refer to as the controversial UK squares rule.  
Particular problems require controversial solutions and Ed GW3SQX certainly grabbed the bull by the horns when he took over the chairmanship of the CC. 

Not only is there greater appeal in England for the UKACs but participation from GM, GI, GW and the Channel Is has also produced many more new participants each month, old hands and new.    
Your obsevation regarding stations making or planning improvements is something I have also noted in the comments and on the air as operators find ways to improve results. 


73 Ray GM4CXM




________________________________
From: Tony G4NBS <tony.nbs at btinternet.com>

Wonder what freq you were trying on Ray? Andy usually manages to be audible
here by sitting up high in the Band away from most of the QRM but this
session he was being obliterated a lot of the time. I was hearing activity
to at least .270